Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

Dear Sir or Madam,

As part of my Master’s thesis for the Executive Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Association & Nonprofit Management at the University of Fribourg, I am examining the participation behavior of members in General Assemblies of medical professional societies.

This survey is completely anonymous, and all responses will be used exclusively for academic research purposes.

I would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the following questionnaire and thereby make a valuable contribution to this research.

Thank you very much for your support.

Secured

Survio

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

1

How old are you?

This question is intended to collect basic demographic information. It will help to better interpret and compare the survey results.

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

2

Please indicate your gender

This question is intended to collect basic demographic information. It will help to better interpret and compare the survey results.

Female

Male

Diverse / Other

Prefer not to say

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

3

In which language region of Switzerland do you mainly practice your professional activity?

This question is intended to collect basic demographic information. It will help to better interpret and compare the survey results.

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

4

Please state your professional position / function

This question is intended to collect background information about your role within your professional context. It will help to better interpret and compare the survey results.

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

6

In addition to your professional activity, are you also a private member of other associations or organizations?

Select one answer

Yes

No

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

7

If yes:

In which fields? (e.g., sports, culture, social, politics)

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

8

How frequently do you attend events or meetings of your private associations – compared to those of your medical professional societies?

Select one answer

Much more frequently in private associations

Somewhat more frequently in private associations

About the same in both

Somewhat more frequently in medical societies

Much more frequently in medical societies

I am not a member of any private associations

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

9

When did you last attend a General Assembly of a medical professional society?

Select one answer

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

10

How frequently do you usually attend General Assemblies – whether in a professional or private context?

Select one answer

Never

Rarely (less than once every 3 years)

Occasionally (about once every 1–2 years)

Regularly (almost every year)

Always (every year without exception)

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

11

For which reasons do you not attend the General Assembly (GA) of your medical professional society?

Multiple answers possible

I always attend the General Assembly

Scheduling conflicts / lack of time

Lack of interest in the topics

The GA is too time-consuming

I do not attend the annual congress (and therefore not the GA)

Geographical distance / travel effort

Fatigue after a congress day

I never intended to participate

Other (please specify)

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

12

Which reasons motivate you to attend the General Assembly (GA) of your medical professional society?

Multiple answers possible

To stay informed about current developments

To exercise my voting rights / participate in decision-making

To contribute actively to the society’s work

To combine the GA with the annual congress or scientific program

To network with colleagues

Out of a sense of duty or loyalty

Other (please specify)

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

13

What are the most important reasons for you to be a member of a medical professional society?

Multiple answers possible

Access to professional information and guidelines

Participation in continuing education and training

Professional networking and exchange

Opportunity for co-determination (e.g., voting rights, holding office)

Reputation / belonging to the profession

Sense of duty / professional politics

Other (please specify)

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

14

Which formats or conditions would you prefer for the General Assembly?

(Multiple answers possible)

Shorter duration

Online or hybrid participation option

More opportunities for discussion and active participation

During social events (e.g., reception, dinner)

Other (please specify)

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

15

Wishes and suggestions for improvement

What would make it more likely for you to attend a General Assembly?

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

16

Has this survey reminded you that, as a member, you have a voting right that you can make use of?

Select one answer

Yes

No, I was already aware of this

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

17

Would participation in the General Assembly of your medical professional society or association become more important to you if issues with direct impact on your income or other financial aspects were addressed?

Yes, definitely

Yes, to some extent

No, this would not make a difference

Unsure / Prefer not to say

Thank you very much for completing this survey. Your contribution provides an important input to my research and will help to advance the understanding of participation in professional societies.

This survey is conducted by Jolanda Trachsel as part of her Master’s thesis at the University of Fribourg (Executive Master of Advanced Studies in Association & Nonprofit Management).

Please support the study by also sharing the survey with your colleagues.

Participation Behavior in General Assemblies of Medical Professional Societies

How old are you?

Please indicate your gender

In which language region of Switzerland do you mainly practice your professional activity?

Please state your professional position / function

How many medical professional societies are you currently a member of?

In addition to your professional activity, are you also a private member of other associations or organizations?

If yes:

How frequently do you attend events or meetings of your private associations – compared to those of your medical professional societies?

When did you last attend a General Assembly of a medical professional society?

How frequently do you usually attend General Assemblies – whether in a professional or private context?

For which reasons do you not attend the General Assembly (GA) of your medical professional society?

Which reasons motivate you to attend the General Assembly (GA) of your medical professional society?

What are the most important reasons for you to be a member of a medical professional society?

Which formats or conditions would you prefer for the General Assembly?

Wishes and suggestions for improvement

Has this survey reminded you that, as a member, you have a voting right that you can make use of?

Would participation in the General Assembly of your medical professional society or association become more important to you if issues with direct impact on your income or other financial aspects were addressed?